I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[wendow]

We are planning on using our PP benefit tomorrow at STL when we fly out. They have a Pasta House that qualifies. I've cancelled my CSR, so we only have one PP now, but if I'm following this right, we get the $28 credit for 3 people? For some reason, I was thinking we only got it for 2 people, but if it's 3, it'll probably cover the 4 of us that are going on this flight.

Your PP membership from CSR includes cardholder plus two guests. I think it's up to the restaurant as to whether they allow you to bring in extra people without charging you the fee.

 

[disfanforlife]

We PC'ed both our CSR's. The reason is because we've not really been redeeming UR's for travel since Chase pulled all the Disney resorts. I end up just cashing out UR's and buying discounted GC's for any Disney costs. If you have other travel plans, then most likely, the 1.5x multiplier of the CSR will come in handy. For us, the occasional redemption is fine to do through the CIP at the 1.25x redemption rate.

We will get a CSR again sometime but for now, other than having a PP for my dh, we've not really missed our CSR.

Ah ok, I see. Thank you. I have no idea what we will use the URs for yet. Still waiting for DH’s first one to arrive in the mail.

 

[disfanforlife]

if u have a bigger card line, it becomes kinda redundant. 4x MR with Gold Card has basically replaced my CSR... If you have a CIP, that covers 3x travel.
the only loss is 1.5, which comes close if u have a cip/csp at 1.25.

Thanks, yes, my DH has his first CIP coming in the mail. I am planning to apply for one in 3 months. I will have to think about Amex too down the road.

 

[ski_mom]

Your PP membership from CSR includes cardholder plus two guests. I think it's up to the restaurant as to whether they allow you to bring in extra people without charging you the fee.

Thank you - that should work out perfectly!

 

[Haley R]

Babies!

My orange cat likes to sit on top of his sister too. Silly boys!

He’s huge too so I feel bad for her lol

 

[Haley R]

We’re planning on going Friday to activate our APs. If we want to do it at Epcot can we park in the lot with just our voucher? I’m assuming no. If not, we’ll probably park at BW or BC and then move to the Epcot parking lot after activating them.

Ps-it’s so fun that I can make FPS whenever now lol

 

[platamama]

We are planning on using our PP benefit tomorrow at STL when we fly out. They have a Pasta House that qualifies. I've cancelled my CSR, so we only have one PP now, but if I'm following this right, we get the $28 credit for 3 people? For some reason, I was thinking we only got it for 2 people, but if it's 3, it'll probably cover the 4 of us that are going on this flight.

Yep, you get to bring two guests in addition to yourself. I see @wendow beat me to it!

 

[GusGus16]

@Haley R thanks for sharing the picture, they will be happy to get settled in at your new place!

I don’t have CSR or CSP yet, but would like to in the future. I have a question, why cancel the CSR if you can get the $300 travel credit each year? Wouldn’t it be better it keep it and be able to use the 1.5 for redeeming URs? I feel like I am missing something and am still reading and soaking in knowledge so when I get ready and am able to apply I’ll have a good plan in place.

CSR has an AF of $450 yearly, offset by the travel credit, but that is still $150 you pay to keep this card, for some the benefits clearly make up for the $150 a year, but for me and others we can't justify the $150 fee. In my case I've never had a CSR, but held a CSP prior to product changing it to a freedom after a year, and I have CIPs. I typically find better value transferring UR's to travel partners-SW, hyatt then using them through the portal, so the redemption of 1.5c/pt doesn't offset the increased annual fee as I can still transfer to partners via the CIP and I have other cards with similar benefits like primary rental car insurance through SPG Lux as well as PP lounge access (although now AMEX is going to stop allowing PP restaurants).

 

[Judique]

We’re planning on going Friday to activate our APs. If we want to do it at Epcot can we park in the lot with just our voucher? I’m assuming no. If not, we’ll probably park at BW or BC and then move to the Epcot parking lot after activating them.

Ps-it’s so fun that I can make FPS whenever now lol

If you are planning on doing park time at Epcot you can pay the parking and get reimbursed when you activate the AP - at least that's what it says in the tickets threads on Theme Parks and Attractions. I was actually reading it earlier today.

 

[disfanforlife]

@Haley R thanks for sharing the picture, they will be happy to get settled in at your new place!



CSR has an AF of $450 yearly, offset by the travel credit, but that is still $150 you pay to keep this card, for some the benefits clearly make up for the $150 a year, but for me and others we can't justify the $150 fee. In my case I've never had a CSR, but held a CSP prior to product changing it to a freedom after a year, and I have CIPs. I typically find better value transferring UR's to travel partners-SW, hyatt then using them through the portal, so the redemption of 1.5c/pt doesn't offset the increased annual fee as I can still transfer to partners via the CIP and I have other cards with similar benefits like primary rental car insurance through SPG Lux as well as PP lounge access (although now AMEX is going to stop allowing PP restaurants).

Thanks for explaining that. I think I may still be interested in one, but going to try for CIP first. If I do get the CSR I will probably just do it once or to try it out and the PC or close it later too.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Actually I think it varies by property. Swolphin charged the fee when they were SPG, before Marriott.

wait, what? So they don't charge it now that they are Marriott? I am specifically referring to charging resort fees on award stays. As far as I know marriott does so, unless something changed. Hilton (and apparently Hyatt) do not.

 

[disfanforlife]

I’m sorry but I have to share this:

He decided he would lay on top of her because that was obviously the most comfortable spot. She was licking her lips that’s why her mouth is open. That’s their litter box by the way lol

I feel for you. I have two cats also and neither likes to ride in the car. That meowing that they do is enough to drive me crazy.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

They’re laying down now. We gave them some tuna but only one of them ate it (with the medicine in it). The other one chose not to eat and she’s the one that’s been meowing. She stopped for a little bit so hopefully it stays that way.

We don’t give our cats people food.

Tuna is people food But desperate times call for desparate measures. When our dog was very ill. I fed her anything. Any.Thing. I cooked for her, tried to entice her to eat any food we had, bought the crappiest food from Walmart (even though DH sells premium dog food for a living) It worked enough that she survived and made it through her illness. I know your cats aren’t sick but they are stressed.

 

[marsh0013]

We are planning on using our PP benefit tomorrow at STL when we fly out. They have a Pasta House that qualifies. I've cancelled my CSR, so we only have one PP now, but if I'm following this right, we get the $28 credit for 3 people? For some reason, I was thinking we only got it for 2 people, but if it's 3, it'll probably cover the 4 of us that are going on this flight.

We used PP at the STL pasta house that had the beer in the name I think. It was in the terminal southwest is in. I think when I checked on the PP app, they only cover 1 guest. So double check. There were only 2 of us so no issue. We only got alcohol, no food. It was like $15 for a titos.

 

[wanderlust7]

I don’t have CSR or CSP yet, but would like to in the future. I have a question, why cancel the CSR if you can get the $300 travel credit each year? Wouldn’t it be better it keep it and be able to use the 1.5 for redeeming URs? I feel like I am missing something and am still reading and soaking in knowledge so when I get ready and am able to apply I’ll have a good plan in place.

It's possible to keep PC'ing so you always have a CSR, but keep double dipping on the travel credit and come out $150 ahead each year.

See this excellent post by @Andysol
https://www.disboards.com/threads/i...r-addl-details.3729982/page-831#post-60430367

 

[disneymagicgirl]

The toughest time we had was middle school with a girl. Brutal. Good thing you know all those mean girl quotes.

amen, sister.

 

[PolyRob]

Disney is doing ticketed events... inside ticketed events now? #Insanity

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/d...fs3dVtTyOeoiNm9S_2f3JZTqmglk4Fji-JLSHKDuBmb1M

I figured it was only time after Tony's Most Merriest was so popular at MVMCP last year. It would kill me a little inside to pay that much on top of the paid ticketed event to get food at the worst rated MK TS and have a "better" parade spot

 

[calypso726]

So DISchurner friends... I'm working on finalizing our Universal trip plans. We might spend our last night at the MCO Hyatt and take an early flight home.

I know I could do some googling on this but would prefer some real life examples here. Transferring URs to Hyatt - how quick is that? Does it happen instantly? I see that I could book a night in the MCO Hyatt for 12k Hyatt points (which is substantially less than using URs, even with a CSR).

Using Hyatt for a room - anything strange I should be aware of? I would assume that it is the same as using Marriott, Hilton, or IHG points (all of which I have experience with)...just book your room and you're good to go?

Thanks for any insight!

Don't know if this got answered but they transfer instantly. When I saw Park Hyatt Tokyo available for 2 nights at 30k per night vs $1124 per night (149,866 UR) I immediately transferred 60k UR to Hyatt and booked the room seconds later.

I tried to add @calypso726 to the pm I started earlier today about dvc but could never figure it out

Thanks for the add. Glad to help.

Does anyone know- I technically HAVE a Hilton Honors account that I've never used for anything. Assuming that I book any future Hilton hotel stays (looking at you, Hilton Tokyo Bay) strictly on points, is there any benefit to being an Honors member? (I had gotten it before our trip last year but because my parents made all the reservations I ended up never using it).

Yes, if you wind up earning HH points from Hilton cards. Also, if you have status at Hilton due to another credit card, like Amex Platinum. If you plan to stay at a HIlton and have status with another program there may be an option to status match.

Just booked Swan for Princess race weekend next year.. apparently we are gluttons for punishment. We both missed registration opening earlier this month, but the two course challenge is still available.

Question for anyone that may have experience - I had enough points to book 2 of the 3 nights at Swan, and I did the hold room thingy for the 3rd night. I anticipate receiving the 50k free night from the Ritz card in about a month. Is there any issue with switching that 3rd night with the free night cert?

Haven't had to do it like that with Bonblah. With Hilton, the night you want to trade to a cert would need to be booked separately otherwise you have to cancel the whole reservation and re-book from what I've both read and tried.

Thanks for that link; somehow my poking around the Hilton website last night did not turn that information up!

You're correct- I've never stayed at a Hilton in my life except for that last trip which I didn't pay for, so absolutely zero points for me.

When you ask "what kind of points" I was thinking only of Chase UR points but I should have known that the TYPE of points is important to know in this conversation! I will learn... some day.... And I would not expect to earn anything from Hilton on a stay I book with URs (although wouldn't that be neat if I did??)

Good to know about the different types of Hilton AMEX cards including certain levels of Hilton status. Do you suppose those status benefits would apply even if the hotel room itself isn't paid for with a Hilton AMEX card?

If the stay is paid with UR points then no. But if it is paid with any credit card then yes, you get the benefist booking with the hotel, not necessarily 3rd party site like Expedia. It doesn't have to be paid with a Hilton credit card.

Long time lurker, first time poster. You don’t know me from Adam, but we stayed at the Hard Rock in February with two boys (12 & 10 at the time). We walked to Royal Pacific just to see how far it was. It seemed much further. When we were there they didn’t have a lot of boats going so if you missed it you had to wait a long time for one to return. We are staying at the Royal Pacific in September because it was significantly cheaper with the AP discount. But for 2 nights I would definitely stay at the Hard Rock; it was soooo much faster to get to and from the park.

On another note, thank you all for sharing your knowledge. I never felt like I could contribute anything before but you all have helped us exponentially in the number and quality of vacations we can take. So thank you.

Glad you came out of lurkdom.

 

[PolyRob]

My Platinum Plus AP actually expires today and I'm looking at the Sam's travel site which still has the cheaper prices. This would acutually extend my year by an extra month or so.
I noticed there a few options for AP holders for this summer that I'd like to take advantage of for our trip.
Bring a Friend to a park for $89 plus tax and Summer Splash (unlimited Water Park visits) for $69 plus tax

P2 and I are staying 4 days at POFQ after a cruise and the original plan didn't include going to the parks, but we could, on a whim, with this deal.

If I just purchase the cheaper Platinum, can I buy the Summer Splash for myself and P2? My thinking was saving the $100 on the PP v. the P and using for the Summer splash.

That is exactly what I did with the new AP, extended the dates out. I see nothing wrong with your idea of buying the Plat voucher and then enjoying the discounted water park promo. Enjoy!

 

[Haley R]

If you are planning on doing park time at Epcot you can pay the parking and get reimbursed when you activate the AP - at least that's what it says in the tickets threads on Theme Parks and Attractions. I was actually reading it earlier today.

Haha well thank you. I can’t decide which to do: mk or Epcot. I’d much rather go ride some rides at mk but I don’t want to deal with crowds leaving the park and if we go during the day it’ll be hotter than hades. I have an adr at San angel (never eaten there) at 5:30 pm and two FPS after that. I’m guessing we should just keep this but I wanna ride the mountains lol